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Keith Whitmore: ''Local and regional authorities have the primary responsibility for the well-being of communities''

Keith Whitmore: ''Local and regional authorities have the primary responsibility for the well-being of communities''[11/10/2012]

Congress President, Keith Whitmore, pointed to the social consequences of the economic and financial crisis at the local and regional level, addressing the participants at the 2nd Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Social Cohesion in Istanbul (Turkey), on 11 October. He stressed that local and regional authorities have the primary responsibility for the well-being of their communities, and that social cohesion is essential for avoiding growing tensions between cultural groups at the local level. Speaking in support of the Council of Europe’s “New Strategy for Social Cohesion” which calls for continuous dialogue with citizens and their participation in democratic decision-making, President also praised the efforts of the Turkish authorities in signing the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.